Top Tips for Traveling When You Suffer from Anxiety

September 13, 2017

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5 minute read

Anyone that has suffered from anxiety will know how difficult it can be to step outside your door. There are days when you won’t want to open the curtains but just stay in bed. If you are planning on taking a vacation, then you are taking a brave step that can ultimately lead to a more positive experience. All you need to do, is get through the trip itself, but, how can you take such a journey without becoming anxious and start overthinking things? These are some tips that can help you to calm your mind and relieve some of that anxiety.

Take Pictures

If you are the type of person that worries about things at home when you are out, then one way to help is to take pictures of all the things that would concern you. It could be the cooker, or the door locks, whatever it might be, take a photo and leave it on your phone. When you leave, you can check the photos when you get anxious to help alleviate the worrying thoughts. There are also now remote cameras that you can access from anywhere on your smartphone. These can be a good way to check on the house or your pets to make sure everything is ok.

Pack Appropriate Clothes

There may be times when you are not feeling good, but you still need to travel. For those occasions, you should pack clothing you feel comfortable in. Whether that means wearing sweats, your best jeans or putting makeup on, it doesn’t matter. Make sure you feel comfortable and wear something that’ll keep your anxiety at bay while you feel more comfortable with the situation. You can also pack other things that will make you feel comfortable such as a neck pillow or a sleep mask.

Pack Snacks

One of the worries about going to a new country is the food. You might be a picky eater and worry about some of the food that they are offering. If you are like this, then make sure you pack lots of snacks such as granola bars and crisps. If you get somewhere and you don’t like the food, you can always resort to eating a snack to keep you going. If you are worried about the meat, then try the vegetarian option instead, this might make you feel easier about it. The same applies to water because in some countries, it isn’t advisable to drink the water, so pack plenty of bottled water for your trip.

Plan Your Trip at a Less Busy Period

If you have anxiety about crowds of people, then some locations could potentially cause upset. To make things easier, book those places when the level of tourists is at its lowest. It is usually just before and after the peak season. It also means that you should still get the nice weather. Most travel websites and magazines will tell you when the quietest or ‘shoulder season’ is. If that is still a little too crowded for you, then why not try to visit some alternative locations. They are usually quieter as not as many people go there, but they still have some amazing points of interest.

Health Anxiety

There are people whose anxiety is mainly centered on their health. For them, it can be a nervous time traveling with a lot of other people. If you are only traveling a short distance, then your car or a hire car can take some of that stress away. You could also hire a car if you travel abroad, it will make traveling easier, and you won’t have to worry about others and potential germs. Some holidays may bring a holiday romance with one of the locals or another holidaymaker. It is important to remember to be careful and safe with any encounters. High STD rates in some areas mean you should take care and use precautions. It doesn’t have to stop your fun though, and a holiday romance can be just the thing to take your mind off other anxieties.

Plan Your Journey

If going somewhere and not knowing where you cause you high stress, then try to minimize it by planning your trip meticulously. Find all the local hotels and how to get to them; then you can plan where you want to visit from there. Get maps of the city and mark the routes to the attractions on it, so you won’t have to do it when you are there. You could also try to learn a few simple phrases to ask for food or drink. Try choosing clothes that will help you to blend into the background. It can help with those countries that have street sellers. If you look like a local, they are less likely to harass you.

Pack like a Pro

Packing is one of the most difficult jobs because you don’t want to forget anything. You don’t want to leave the house and find that you have left your wallet behind. Create a detailed packing list that includes everything you will need. As you pack those things, tick them off the list, so you know they are packed. It should hopefully stop you from wanting to check everything multiple times to make sure they are in there. It is also a good idea to take the list with you when you travel. That way, you can use it again when you pack to come home so that you won’t leave anything in the hotel. Remember to pack any medication you need and to order another supply if you know you will run out while on holiday.

Many people get anxious while on holiday, especially if they are traveling alone. These tips should help you to manage your fears and keep them at bay while you have fun. The important thing is to try and keep away from your triggers or have your coping strategy in place if you need it. Then you can relax and enjoy your vacation.